Membrane Evolution 6. Are You Ready For Water Reuse? Think Membranes

Question about water reuse? This informative guide looks into common concerns and points to efficient and practical methods to address growing water scarcity concerns. Using innovative membrane water reuse technologies, communities have the ability to treat existing water sources to a quality at or above their existing drinking water standards.

Reuse makes pure sense.
Water is naturally recycled through the hydrologic cycle and eventually, makes its way back to fresh water supplies. The aim of water reuse is to incorporate advanced technologies to expedite this natural process. Using reclaimed or repurified water, scarce water sources are augmented, putting less strain on potable supplies and providing a sustainable resource for agriculture, irrigation, industrial operations and seawater intrusion prevention for coastal aquifers. Water reuse also reduces wastewater discharge to oceans, lakes and rivers, making it an environmentally conscious option.

In addition to being environmentally friendly, water reuse is also a prudent economic choice for communities seeking a solution to water shortages. For example, the capital costs to produce water from seawater, or desalination, are roughly two times the costs to reuse secondary effluent. Also, the costs for concentrate disposal and energy usage are much higher for desalination than for water reuse. Additionally, desalination is only a viable option for coastal areas. With the demand for global water reuse expected to rise more than 180 percent over the next decade, it stands to reason that water reuse is an adaptable and comprehensive solution.

SOURCE: Siemens Industry, Inc. - Water Technologies